Levy’s set at County Board meeting

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. (WRCO / WRCE) – The Richland County Executive & Finance Committee approved moving forward with the 2026 Proposed Budget for Richland County to the full board of supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting.

It proposes a county tax levy of $6,735,590, a library tax levy of $209,465, a county bridge aid levy of $37,820, a chargeback levy of $990 and a county debt levy of $3,836,165. The sum of $10,820,031 would be used and levied upon all taxable property in Richland County for County purposes for the year 2026.

Concerning an ambulance service in the county the committee approved an interim memorandum to provide ambulance services in place of the current contract through March 31, 2026.

On Oct. 7, City Administrator, Ashley Oliphant, requested that the current Memorandum be extended for an additional three months to provide the opportunity to develop and implement a transition plan for Ambulance Services.

Administrator Oliphant shared that the city cannot afford the rates set in the current contract and if they remain at that level, they will not be able to continue to utilize the Richland County Ambulance Service. If the city of Richland Center is no longer contributing to the service, the county cannot sustain the service. An interim memorandum will allow for a productive and effective transition for the community.

Services would continue to be provided until, at the latest, March 31, 2026. This time will allow for discussions on the creation of a District or negotiations to bring in another entity to provide the service for all townships.

The County Ambulance has unused Funding Assistant Program money from 2024 and 2025 that must be used on specific items. The committee approved moving forward on the purchase of a new LIFEPAK 35 cardiac monitor.

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